The match Sydney Football fans have been waiting all season for is upon us. Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory. Brett Emerton v Harry Kewell. The Big Blue. Saturday night, at the newly named Allianz Stadium – the home of Sydney FC.
The match Sydney Football fans have been waiting all season for is upon us. Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory. Brett Emerton v Harry Kewell. The Big Blue. Saturday night, at the newly named Allianz Stadium – the home of Sydney FC.
Emerton and Kewell returned to the Hyundai A-League at the start of the 2011/12 season amid much fanfare as two of the greatest Australian football players continued their careers where it all started – in Australia.
The first game of the season at Etihad Stadium saw the pair come together in front of a huge crowd as they heralded in a new era for the Hyundai A-League.
The pair grew up side-by-side in Sydney. Emerton wears the Sky Blue of his home City with pride while Kewell has been plying his trade with the Sky Blues- arch enemies – Melbourne Victory.
Emerton and Kewell-s arrival gave the Hyundai A-League a huge boost at the start of the year and football has benefited in every possible way – Crowds are up, TV ratings are up and the standard of play has lifted another gear.
After a settling in period, the pair has also started to light up the A-League and last Wednesday night proved they are still world-class players with tremendous performances in Australia-s 4-2 win over Saudi Arabia in the 2014 World Cup Qualifier.
It is rather ironic that Allianz Stadium (formerly Sydney Football Stadium) is the last destination Kewell has visited, due to the structure of the season draw.
But, Sydney fans are in for a treat on Saturday night when a crowd of 15,000 plus is expected to descend on Allianz Stadium to watch two of Australia-s greatest every football players go head-to-head for the first time in a professional club football match in their home town.
Throw in the tightness of the competition ladder and the need for both teams to take all three points as the semi final series fast approaches and the fuse has been lit for a fiery encounter.
Not that Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory matches need any extra spice.
Derbies aside, the Sydney FC v Melbourne Victory clash is the highlight of the Hyundai A-season. So far in 2011/12 the two teams have yet to be separated. A 0-0 in round 1 was followed by a 2-2 draw on Australia Day. Throw in the fact that the first player to move between the two teams, Sebastian Ryall, scored a 92rd minute equaliser and the stage is set.
Enter Messers Emerton and Kewell on their “home” stage and Saturday night is going to be something special.
TICKETS ARE SELLING FAST FOR EMERTON VS KEWELL AT THE ALLIANZ STADIUM (SFS) THIS SATURDAY MARCH 10TH. SYDNEY FC AND MELBOURNE VICTORY WILL BATTLE IT OUT FOR THE INAUGURAL beyondblue CUP. ADULTS START FROM $20, FAMILIES FROM $50, TICKETS FROM TICKETEK
